The effect of Ti, V and Cr impurities on the transport properties of liquid aluminium

The effect of transition metal impurities Ti, V and Cr on the electrical resistivity and the thermoelectric power of liquid Al has been studied in the temperature range from the melting point up to 1273 K. Due to the addition of the impurities the resistivity is found to be reduced by 1-2 mu Omega cm per at%. The negative thermoelectric power decreases in magnitude by approximate to 1 mu V K-1 in presence of Ti and V, but increases slightly if Cr is added. The results are discussed in a semi-empirical manner using a formalism based on the concept of virtual bound d-states. On account of the magnetic susceptibilities it is concluded that the electronic character of the impurities changes in systematic manner from non-magnetic in AlTi to magnetic in AlCr. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.